DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves hurt his ankle early in Wednesday's practice at Joe Louis Arena. It's nothing serious, he said, but he will sit out tonight's preseason game at the New York Rangers (7 p.m., no TV, WXYT-AM 1270).

“I just kind of tripped and fell over myself, tweaked my ankle a little bit,'' Eaves said. "Nothing serious. I have to go see a doctor. I don’t know anything yet.’’

He is being replaced in the lineup by Tomas Tatar. So here is tonight's lineup:

It's an important game for the No. 2 line, which Red Wings coach Babcock called a work in progress.

“Got to get playing. They got to engage,'' Babcock said. "Bert’s got to engage, Mule’s got to get playing. They got to play hard and dominate the game. That’s what we expect out of them. It’s a good opportunity for them tonight.’’

It is Franzen's first game since he suffered a charley horse in the preseason opener at Pittsburgh.

Goaltender Chris Osgood was back on the ice after sitting out a day due to a charley horse suffered in Saturday's game in Chicago. He said he felt a lot better.

Babcock said Osgood will play the entire game Friday at home against Toronto. Jimmy Howard will will do likewise Saturday in Toronto. Babcock hadn't decided on his goaltending plans for the preseason finale Sunday at home against Pittsburgh.

Defenseman Derek Meech, idled by a mild concussion since Sept. 22, was headache-free the past two days and rode a stationary bike for 20 minutes Wednesday.

“I’m not sure when I’ll be back on the ice, but today, I felt pretty good,’’ Meech said. “I’ll probably have a bit of a harder bike ride (Thursday) and maybe do a little workout.’’